Pisco Collins

The Pisco Collins is a delightful variation on the classic Collins formula, substituting the traditional gin or whiskey with South American pisco. This simple swap creates a uniquely bright and aromatic highball that is both familiar and exotic. It's a tall, effervescent, and incredibly refreshing drink, perfect for warm weather or as a palate-cleansing aperitif. The cocktail perfectly highlights the distinct grape-based character of pisco, making it an excellent introduction to the spirit.
Pisco Collins

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Pisco Collins is a classic long drink cocktail, perfect as a refreshing aperitif. It belongs to the Collins family of drinks, which are characterized by a base spirit, citrus, sugar, and carbonated water, served tall over ice.

Serving

Served cold in a tall, chilled Collins glass, this is a refreshing long drink with a moderate alcohol content, ideal for easy sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-14% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Pisco Collins is a direct descendant of the iconic Tom Collins and John Collins cocktails that originated in the 19th century. As pisco, the grape brandy of Peru and Chile, gained popularity outside of its native countries, bartenders naturally began substituting it into classic recipes. The Collins format proved to be a perfect vehicle for pisco's unique profile, leading to the creation of this simple yet elegant variation in the 20th or 21st century.
Origin
A modern variation on a 19th-century classic. The specific origin is unknown, but it evolved in the 20th or 21st century as pisco became more internationally available to bartenders in the United States and Europe.

Pisco Collins

Known simply as the Pisco Collins, it is sometimes referred to as a Peruvian Collins to highlight its base spirit's origin. The name follows the classic Collins cocktail naming convention, where the base spirit precedes the family name, distinguishing it from the Tom Collins (gin) or John Collins (whiskey).
Original name
Pisco Collins
Alternative name
Peruvian Collins

Characteristics overview

This cocktail is a refreshingly crisp and bubbly highball with a perfect balance of sweet and sour. It boasts a citrusy flavor and floral aroma from the pisco, finishing clean on the palate.
Flavor
Citrusy, light, refreshing, slightly floral, grape-forward
Aroma
Fresh lemon, floral pisco, subtle sweetness
Taste balance
Balanced sweet and sour
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, short
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale, cloudy yellow, transparent with bubbles
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Highly refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is led by a pleasant sourness and fruitiness, with a light sweetness and moderate carbonation. Alcohol strength is relatively low, making for a very balanced and easy-drinking cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need a base of pisco, complemented by fresh lemon juice and simple syrup for the classic sour mix. The drink is then lengthened with chilled soda water for effervescence.
  • Pisco60 ml / 2 oz
    A Peruvian Quebranta pisco works well for its earthy notes, but any quality pisco is suitable.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor and balance.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Standard 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio. Adjust quantity to your personal taste.
  • Soda Water90 ml / 3 oz, or to top
    Ensure it is well-chilled to maintain maximum fizziness.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Preparation requires a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and a strainer, to properly chill and combine the pisco, lemon, and syrup.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing the base ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Strainer for pouring into the glass.

Instructions

The method involves shaking the pisco, lemon juice, and syrup with ice, straining it into an ice-filled glass, and then topping with soda water before garnishing.
1. Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes to chill it and set aside.
2. Add the pisco, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the ice-filled Collins glass.
5. Top the glass with chilled soda water.
6. Gently stir once with a bar spoon to incorporate the ingredients without losing carbonation.
7. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry before serving.

Garnishing

Garnish this cocktail classically with a bright lemon wheel and a sweet maraschino cherry for a pop of color and a nod to its historic roots.
  • Lemon wheel: A thin slice of lemon placed in the drink or on the rim.
  • Maraschino cherry: Dropped into the finished drink for a classic look and a touch of sweetness.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten (assuming pure distilled pisco). It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a relatively low calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar content compared to many other mixed drinks, making it a lighter option for a long drink.
Calories
Averagely 170-200 kcal / 711-837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is ideal for warm weather occasions like summer parties, patio gatherings, and weekend brunches. Its refreshing nature also makes it a perfect choice for happy hour or as a light, relaxing afternoon drink.
  • Summer Parties
  • Brunches
  • Afternoon Sipping
  • Happy Hour

Pairing suggestions

The Pisco Collins pairs excellently with light and zesty foods, particularly Peruvian cuisine like ceviche, whose citrus notes mirror those in the drink. It also complements grilled fish, chicken, and a variety of salty, savory appetizers, cutting through richness and cleansing the palate.
  • Ceviche
  • Light seafood dishes
  • Salty snacks like plantain chips
  • Grilled chicken or fish

The Pisco Collins: A Refreshing South American Highball

The Pisco Collins is an elegant and highly refreshing highball that offers a South American twist on a timeless classic. By simply swapping the base spirit for pisco, the drink takes on a unique floral and fruity character that is both intriguing and delicious. It's easy to make, beautifully balanced between sweet and tart, and perfect for any warm-weather occasion. A must-try for fans of Collins cocktails and those looking to explore the versatility of pisco.

Similar Cocktails

Tom Collins

Uses gin (traditionally Old Tom) instead of pisco as the base spirit.

Ron Collins

Uses light rum as the base spirit.

Juan Collins

Uses tequila as the base spirit.

Pisco Sour

A classic pisco cocktail that uses lime juice, syrup, and egg white, shaken for a foamy texture and served without soda water.

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